These studies on the effect of deformation on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of unsensitized stainless steels have led to the conclusion that traditional perceptions of SCC susceptibility need to be re-examined. For example, solution annealed stainless steel has been found to be moderately susceptible to intergranular SCC in 288 °C water of nearly theoretical purity. Similarly, cold worked stainless steels have been found to be moderately susceptible to intergranular SCC in deaerated water of nearly theoretical purity. While such factors as cold work, sensitization, dissolved oxygen, elevated stress intensity, high neutron fluence, etc. clearly enhance SCC susceptibility, the traditional concepts of immunity (e.g., of unsensitized stainless steel in deaerated, pure water) and thresholds (e.g., in stress intensity, corrosion potential, neutron fluence, temperature, sensitization, etc.) are unjustified. The significant effect of deformation in enhancing SCC is important not only because of intentional cold work (e.g., in bolts) but also because fabrication-induced surface deformation and residual deformation in
weld heat affected zones. Key Words: stress corrosion cracking, stainless steels, deformation, cold work, welding, high temperature water, crack growth rate.